Nonresident License Information

Big Game Licenses

Big game licenses allow the licensee to hunt prairie dog, jackrabbit, gopher, ground squirrel, crow, porcupine, marmot, red fox, grey fox, coyotes, skunks, opossum, and other unprotected species through Jan. 31. For a big game license to be valid to hunt these species, the licensee must retain the top portion of the big game license.

Habitat Stamp

A person eighteen years of age or older shall purchase a habitat stamp when applying for or purchasing a hunting or fishing license. A person is not required to purchase more than one habitat stamp within a license year. Any person required to obtain a hunting or fishing license may not fish and hunt, or trap without a habitat stamp. 

Federal Waterfowl Stamp

The Federal Waterfowl Stamp is an additional requirement for those ages 16 and older to hunt ducks, geese, tundra swan and merganser. Purchase an electronic Federal Waterfowl Stamp. The electronic Federal Waterfowl Stamp is valid from July 1, through June 30. The electronic Federal Waterfowl Stamp will not have a physical stamp mailed to the purchaser until March 15. An electronic Federal Waterfowl Stamp can be presented to a wildlife Conservation Officer upon request via the state’s electronic licensing system under which it was purchased or a paper license (issued to the hunter/purchaser) that includes the purchase of an electronic Federal Waterfowl Stamp. Physical Federal Waterfowl Stamps must be signed while in possession to be legal. The Federal Waterfowl Stamp is part of the waterfowl hunting requirements in all states. However, hunters are required to purchase only one electronic or physical stamp. A lost or destroyed Federal Waterfowl Stamp can only be replaced by purchasing a new one. To purchase a physical stamp, check with your local U.S. Postal Office. 

NOTE: A Federal Waterfowl Stamp is not needed to hunt sandhill crane, mourning dove, snipe, and coot; or light geese during the Spring Light Goose Conservation Order; or Canada goose during August Management Take. However, a State Migratory Bird Certificate is still required for these species.  

Furbearer License

The Nonresident Furbearer License is required to trap coyote, red fox, grey fox, raccoon, badger, bobcat, opossum, mink, weasel, beaver, muskrat, and skunks; and when and where allowed is required to hunt raccoon, badger, bobcat, opossum, mink, weasel, beaver, and muskrat. Purchase a license. 

Landowners

Eligible nonresident landowners may purchase a landowner-own-land license for West River Deer and the firearm antelope hunting season. Eligible nonresident landowners can also apply for East River landowner-own-land deer hunting seasons via drawing only.  

Predator/Varmint License

Nonresidents may hunt prairie dog, jackrabbit, gopher, ground squirrel, crow, porcupine, marmot, red fox, grey fox, coyotes, and skunks if they possess a Predator/Varmint License or any valid South Dakota Hunting or Furbearer License (other than nonresident shooting preserve). 

Shooting Preserve License

South Dakota permits private shooting preserves to offer hunting from September 1 - March 31. Nonresidents hunting on a licensed shooting preserve need the Nonresident Shooting Preserve License, Nonresident Small Game License, or a Nonresident Youth Small Game License. 

The Shooting Preserve License is valid through January 31 only on licensed shooting preserves and allows the hunter to take only the game for which the preserve is licensed. The license is valid to take Predator/Varmints on preserves through March 31. 

The Small Game License is valid outside the shooting preserve for the two 5-day periods specified on the license and valid on licensed shooting preserves through January 31 for the species for which the preserve is licensed. 

Small Game License

The Small Game License, Youth Small Game License, and Mentored Small Game License is valid for two periods of five consecutive days. 

Starting dates must be chosen for BOTH periods when the license is purchased. Both dates must be filled in on the license even if the two 5-day periods run consecutively. Nonresidents may buy more than one Small Game License. 

The start date for each 5-day period may be changed prior to the start date. The change may be made online or at any license agent. License agents may charge a fee of up to $8. 

This license also allows nonresidents to shoot coyotes, red and grey fox, skunks, prairie dogs and other unprotected species through January 31 and to hunt on licensed shooting preserves through January 31.  

State Migratory Bird Certificate 

All nonresidents hunting migratory birds and/or waterfowl must complete and purchase this certificate. 

Migratory birds that require this certificate for hunting include ducks, geese, tundra swan, Sandhill crane, mourning doves, snipe, and coot. This state certificate should not be confused with the Federal Waterfowl Stamp. 

NOTE: The State Migratory Bird Certificate is no longer combined with the Nonresident Waterfowl license. Hunters must choose which duck regulation option (Traditional or Three- Duck daily bag limit) they want to hunt with for the entire season at the time of purchasing their State Migratory Bird Certificate.